LATHER

LATHER is a Pasadena-based clean beauty brand named the Official Bath and Body Provider of Forbes Travel Guide in 2022. It has been creating skincare, haircare and wellness produces since 1999, and its collection of products can be found online and in hundreds of hotel properties, boutiques, spas and resorts worldwide. It pioneered the “clean beauty” movement before it was even a thing.

Under its LATHER Custom Department, I came in as the Print & Packaging Production Artist, reporting to Kristen Merry, the Art Director, and working alongside the in-house team of product development, branding, and design experts. Since the US, particularly California, banned tiny bottles in hotels (and by 2024, New York will follow suit), hotel properties, including spas and resorts are now required to shift to large format packaging to eliminate plastic waste.

My role is to help the Creative Department roll out new designs, and this includes working on product renders, master mechanicals, and preparing mechanical art for final output; reviewing and editing supplier proofs; retouching, resizing, and color-correcting product images for e-commerce use; and providing general support to the Creative Director and Product Development team.

My knowledge and experience in packaging within the beauty industry came in handy, including my training in law school — always making sure that color, printing, and regulatory requirements are always satisfied! Below are some of the renderings I made for Four Seasons Resort Lanai, followed by more projects.

01 —

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

I was tasked to come up with a few Shampoo, Conditioner, and Shower Gel bottle design options for The Lodge at Torrey Pines, a luxury hotel in La Jolla, California. I started with a mood board, and Kristen and I collaborated and shared ideas when it comes to choosing which typography and color are best.

02 —

ASH Hotels

Ash is a hotelier, specializing in old world designs and holistic, cinematic experiences (think Wes Anderson films). I love their website and branding! One can tell that they are heavily influenced equally by architecture, history, art, light, and color.

For this project, I was tasked with creating One Sheets for their Hotel Ulysses in Baltimore and Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans. These sheets are made for all of the hotels’ spas so guests would know more about the brand and the collection.

Under ASH NYC, their interior design practice, they also have a 1stDibs account since 2013, to cater private residential clients, other hotels, and large-scale residential buildings.

03 —

Four Seasons Resort

Another property I’d like to feature here is Four Seasons, particularly their Hawaii locations O’ahu at Ko Olina, described as a laid-back luxury resort on Oahu’s sunny western coast, and Lanai, a gateway to Hawaii’s last unspoiled island.

The company would sometimes send me actual products we distribute to these properties, and boy, while working on this, I feel like I can smell how good the collection is!

This time, I designed collection sheets for their spa and retail collection. I’m particularly biased in projects like this since I’m briefed with the property’s history. It makes the work even more fulfilling.